Ultimate Praise is a group of students from the Berrien Springs community who love music and its ability to touch lives in a positive way. The participants range in age from grade six to college. This multi-talented group has been invited to schools, churches, funerals, a wedding, and events in the local area and surrounding states. We were not expecting the next invitation: "Please bring your young people to our island and share your music and testimonies with our children."

A group of 12, which included students, parents, teachers, and a physician, were united for the single purpose of lifting up God's name. The team gave up spring vacation to embark on this great adventure.

On the island of St. Vincent, in the West Indies, Ultimate Praise provided a week of prayer for an academy and elementary school. To present to more than 300 students daily was a mountaintop experience. Afterward, a multitude of children clung to the hands and arms of our team. Many high school and primary students sacrificed their lunch period to ask questions, exchange e-mail addresses, and request autographs.

"One of the most memorable things to me was helping the team conduct song service and my heart being warmed by the excitement of the singers. I have not heard children sing like that in a long time," remembers James Williams, vocalist.

On our last day, the students were invited to give their hearts to Jesus. Nine students from both schools requested baptism. Sarah Smith, lead guitar player, said, "One little girl came up to me crying hysterically, saying that she didn't know what to do because she loved Jesus and really wanted to get baptized, but her parents had left the church some time ago and they wouldn't let her. It touched my heart to see someone so young be so in love with Christ yet be frightened to show it because her parents had given up on God."

"The young people seemed as if they were just waiting for someone to come and invite them to Jesus," added Phil Giddings IV, violinist.

Our team also participated in an island-wide crusade, where we sang to crowds of more than 7,000 people on two weekends.

"I made loads of new friends and still keep in touch online! I loved being a part of this trip and truly hope that my group's presence there was as much of a blessing for those people as it was for me," said Emily Kutzner, violinist and djembe player.

"We here in the States feel like we know so much and that we are so close to God because we have the information and the resources. But I believe that in reality we haven't even come close to scratching the surface on faith," expressed Steven Lee, keyboard/piano player.

This trip allowed us to experience the majesty of music, the dignity of love, and the awesome splendor and reward of sharing Him. To God be the glory.

Philip E. Giddings III teaches Bible, French, language arts, and outreach at Ruth Murdoch Elementary School and is the Ultimate Praise coordinator.